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Charleston Property Management in SC | Licensing Requirements for South Carolina Property Managers

Charleston property management in SC

You might think all it takes to start in Charleston property management in SC is to purchase a house, then turn around and rent it to a single-family, but there is a little more to becoming a property manager than being an owner. In fact, in South Carolina, there are laws that govern what someone must do to become a property manager.

Charleston property management in SC companies don’t need real estate broker licenses, but they do need to be licensed as a property manager or broker-in-charge. If you own the property, and also plan to manage it, you may be exempt from this law; however, if you plan to hire a property manager, you will want to ensure they have the proper certifications and

How to Get A License for Charleston Property Management in SC

South Carolina property manager licensing requirements include:

  • Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to be a property manager, and 21 to be a property manager in charge
  • Applicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent
  • Education: must complete a real estate commission approved course (30 hours) in property management fundamentals. You can bypass this requirement with a law degree or B.A. with a major in real estate will also qualify although college degrees are not required for becoming licensed.
  • Testing: Applicants must pass the property management exam and apply for the property manager or property manager in charge license within 12 months of passing the exam.

Hiring a property manager is always a great choice for investors who want to rent single-family homes. A qualified property manager will be able to get you top market rent value on the property you own, find excellent tenants quickly, and be able to effectively manage the tenants and properties with limited contact from you, the owner.

If you’re interested in hiring a property manager that will take the burden off your shoulders, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

 

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Charleston Property Management | What To Do If A Tenant Leaves A Broke Down Car Behind

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Tenant moveouts are always a surprise. When you work in Charleston property management, you never know what state to expect the home to be in when a family moves out. Most renters are great and will follow the moveout checklist and do all the cleaning and replacing that is requested. However, sometimes, tenants leave behind personal property when they can’t take it with them and don’t have storage. When this property is broken down vehicles, the rules about removing the property is a bit different than if they left behind a couch, however.

When is a Vehicle Considered Abandoned?

When a vehicle remains on public or private for longer than seven days without the permission of the property owner, Charleston property management can start the process of having the vehicle removed. The tenant loses their permission to have the car parked on the property of the rental house as soon as the home is deemed abandoned. If the property is abandoned, the manager must all the police and report the vehicle abandoned. The police will then contact a tow company and handle the rest from there.

Many landlords have provisions in their lease that state vehicles not running, not registered, or not on wheels cannot be stored on rental property. If the lease has this provision, Charleston property management will be able to have the vehicle towed without notifying the police or the tenant, although it is a good idea to give the tenant a lease violation warning first, giving the tenant a chance to relocate the vehicle.

When is a Property Considered Abandoned?

South Carolina law says that rental properties can be considered abandoned when the rent payment is more than 15 days past due and the tenant has not been onsite or reachable. If the rent payment is late, and the utilities have been turned off by the tenant before the end of the lease, the property may be considered abandoned immediately, however.

Contact Scott Properties, Charleston Property Management

If you’re looking for Charleston property management that can deal with any tenant situations, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

 

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Charleston Property Management in SC | What Happens if A Tenant Abandons a Property?

charleston property management

Charleston Property Management in SC | The rent is late on one of your single-family properties. You’ve called, emailed, and even shown up and knocked on their door, but you haven’t heard from your tenants in weeks. When you go to tape the eviction notice to their door, it looks like most of the furniture is gone and no one has been home in a long time. You suspect the tenant skipped out on the rent and abandoned the house, but what can you do next?

Abandoned Property Laws in South Carolina

Code of Laws 27-40-730 in South Carolina outlines exactly how Charleston property management in SC can declare a home abandoned. If a tenant is missing or out of reach for more than fifteen days past the date of defaulting on the rent, the home can be considered abandoned. However, if the tenant skips out on the rent and has the utilities turned off, or reverted into the property manager name, the home can be considered abandoned from the date of the utility account change.

Once the property has been abandoned, the landlord can terminate the lease agreement and can lease the home to someone else. If the tenant left property behind and the items are valued at less than $500, Charleston property management in SC can dispose of the property without attempting contact with the tenant. If the personal property value is worth more than $500, the property manager or landlord needs to file an ejection application with the local court system and the judge must approve of the disposal.

If the tenant left a vehicle on the premise, the rules are a little different. A motor vehicle is considered abandoned when it has been left and unmoved on private or public property for a week or longer with consent from the property owner. Charleston property management in SC is not allowed to remove the vehicle on their own, however. An abandoned vehicle must be reported to the police in South Carolina who will arrange for the towing.

Contact Scott Properties | Charleston Property Management in SC

If you’re looking for a property manager in Charleston that can deal with even the most complex tenant issues, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Company | Why 2020 is the Best Time to Start Investing in Property

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COVID-19, Coronavirus, has caused a worldwide pandemic like no one has seen in more than a century. Markets and economies all around the planet are struggling amidst the rising cases of the virus, but especially in the United States. You might think now is the worst time to take a risk and start your own Charleston property company, but there’s never been a better time for qualified investors.

Millions of people in the United States have lost their jobs and haven’t worked for months. Many people were never able to receive the extra unemployment stimulus and the number in the checking account is getting smaller and smaller for many families. While this is terrible news for the housing market, it’s a ripe time for investors that can get past the tightened restrictions on mortgages and have cash on hand.

Many sellers will be willing to sell their homes for deals they would never consider pre-COVID-19. They might have a limited time to pay the mortgage before entering foreclosure and selling as fast as possible will save their credit and reputation. Even properties that are paid off are being put on the market to ensure that families have the extra money in the bank to make it through at least the end of the year.

Although the best part about buying a home during the pandemic is the nearly guaranteed ability to buy for a steal, the sellers are also being put into a position where they will want to rent, rather than buy again. This means that more people will be looking for a Charleston property company to help them find the perfect home for rent.

Every Charleston property company owner knows that having a lower than average interest rate is not something offered to all developers or investors. If you’re wanting to become a property manager and invest in new houses, or flip houses, then rent—the market is on the buyer’s side in 2020.

If you’re ready to take your Charleston property company to the next level, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management in SC | How to Increase the Value of Your Rental Property

Charleston Property Management in SC

Charleston property management in SC | One of the most important aspects of Charleston property management in SC is always making sure the property owner is getting the best return on their investment possible. Often, property managers are tasked with finding ways to increase the value of the rental price to turn a bigger monthly profit. However, staying within the market value range for a property is very important. Unless you’re offering some big incentives such as a hot tub, pool, temperature-controlled garage, or renting the home furnished, if you charge too much, the home might be sitting empty for a long time regardless of the appraised value of the home.

There are a few improvements Charleston property management in SC companies can make to rental homes that are easy, affordable, and can give you a few hundred dollars more on the rent price.

  1. Outdoor Entertainment Space: You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars installing an inground pool at your rental property. After all, no one in Charleston is far from the beach. However, Charleston residents love to socialize and backyard parties are one of the best ways to enjoy the company. Consider installing a deck or patio, providing a grill, firepit, and maybe some nice patio furniture with the property. If the home already has a deck or patio, it might be time to repaint or stain for a fresh, updated look.
  2. Curb Appeal: The nicer a house looks on the outside, the more rent people are willing to pay. Charleston property management in SC companies should make sure the exteriors of the homes they manage are not peeling, windows aren’t broken or cracked, the siding is all present, and the yard is clean and tended to. Simple landscaping that doesn’t require much upkeep from the tenants is also a great selling point.
  3. Including Utilities: One way that some Charleston property management companies in SC make additional profits is by including utilities in the rent. The tenant gets one easy payment for all their bills and the company can usually come out ahead, especially if the occupancy in the home is just one or two people who work full time and aren’t home much.

These are the top three ways to easily increase your rent value, but there are a few other things you can do that will have tenants not thinking twice about the rent. You can charge for pet rent every month as well as a non-refundable security deposit per pet. Many property managers also charge more for short term or month to month leases.

If you’re interested in getting the most value out of your rental properties, call Scott Properties of Charleston at 843-790-4929.